MLL Season Preview: New York Lizards

The New York Lizards, previously known as the Long Island Lizards are looking to improve on their 8-6 record and semi-final loss to Denver Outlaws this upcoming season. New York will open the season at home when they host the Boston Cannons on April 28th.

New York added several new players to boost their roster for the 2013 season. In the 2013 Collegiate Draft, the Lizards selected Syracuse’s leading goal scorer; midfield JoJo Marasco (30 pts) in the fifth round (37th overall). Marasco will play a key role on midfield this season. New York also selected FO John Antonoiades (Hostra), M Steve Murphy (Notre Dame), D Mark Mullen (Hostra) and M Jeffrey Tundo (Stony Brook).

The Lizards were one of the most active team’s on the trade front in the offseason. They reacquired midfield Stephen Berger who was traded to Charlotte in 2012 after playing five seasons in Long Island. New York also acquired rising superstar attackman Mark Matthews from the Denver Outlaws. Matthews tallied 28 points in nine games last season. Matthews will undoubtedly fill the hole left when John Grant Jr. was traded to Chesapeake in 2012. Longpole Jack Reid was traded from Boston in December for a draft pick. Also, New York acquired two players from the Hamilton Nationals; midfield David Earl (27 pts in 2012) and longpole Steven Waldeck (75 GB in two seasons).

Most of these trades came at no costs for the Lizards as mostly were in exchange for high draft picks. However, midfield Colin Briggs, attackman Will Managan and attackman Ryan Young were all traded this offseason.

In 2013, the Lizards will be looking to rely on their top scores from 2012. Midfield Max Siebald led the Lizards with 39 points (24 G, 4 2PG, 11 A), while midfield Brian Langtry registered 23 goals and 35 points and attackman Matt Gibson was third on team scoring with 33 points (18 G, 15 A). In net, the Lizards will now have a solid one two punch in net after acquiring goalie Joe Marra who had a .566 save percentage in five games for the Charlotte Hounds last season. Lizards goalie Drew Adams will most likely remain the starter after registering a 8-6 record and 11.95 GAA in 14 games last season.

After bolstering their offence in the offseason and also picking up a new goalie, it is expected that the Lizards will finish in the latter end of the top three teams in the MLL. If Adams can steal some games and Matthews lead the offence on attack, look for them to possibly make the MLL final.